Want to achieve your goals this year? Start by doing this…

It’s well into the New Year now. How are those goals going?

If you’ve already slipped up (or haven’t set any yet, eeep) then here are seven steps to get you back on track (or get you started).

Step 1: Forget about the past

Slipped up already? Remembering the failures from last year? Forget about it. It doesn’t matter now. It’s in the past, and you’re looking forward to 2017. Make this your year.

Step 2: Decide on your goals

Consider carefully what you actually want to achieve this year, and set one or two goals for yourself. Remember to keep them simple.

Step 3: Write them down

If you write your goals down, you’re more likely to achieve them. Write you goal down on a post-it note and stick it in a place you can see it every day.

Step 4: Break them down

The greatest athletes and the most successful workers don’t set one goal and expect to achieve it overnight. They break down their goals and set little milestones for each day. Your goal is to find a job in hospitality in the next three months? Make a list of the little things you can do every day to achieve this, e.g. research local restaurants, update resume to include skills relevant to hospitality, contact businesses to check for vacancies, apply for four jobs a week.

Step 5: Get a routine

Motivation gets you started. Habit keeps you going. Set yourself a routine for completing these little tasks each day. When your motivation wanes (which it will, because you’re human) the little habits you create will give you that extra push you need. Make little rituals, and keep going.

Step 6: Tell someone

A problem shared is a problem halved! Telling a friend or family member your goal keeps you accountable, and if you start feeling frustrated or lacking motivation, your buddy is there to encourage you!

Step 7: Never lose sight

When you feel like it’s never going to work, that all these little goals will get you nowhere, when it feels impossible, go back to that little post-it note and think of the bigger picture. Remember why you wanted to achieve that goal in the first place, and don’t stop moving towards it!